Today is the scheduled release of the Slacker Portable Internet radio player to the buying public. After a delay, which disappointed many, the Slacker Radio-playing device will finally be on retail stores. The satellite-enabled car dock will be released some time later this year. No changes in the specifications of the device and pricing has been announced, so just click here for a briefer about Slacker Portable. The Slacker Portable does not do live streaming (no WiFi or cellular connectivity) and saves music via PC-sync from your Slacker subscription. Here’s why from Slacker’s VP of Marketing Jonathan Sasse:

We still don’t see that model as being the right model in that it requires a connected live stream in order to listen to the service. As you go from network to network or covered areas to non covered areas or places like subways and airplanes, that constant live connection isn’t satisfactory.

[via orbitcast]